And Squidfire Too!

Bring your mom - Squidfire is the day before Mother's Day!

I'm In!

I will be a Crafty Bastard on June 28th in Silver Spring, MD!

I will also be sweating it out for 3 whole days at Artscape. You must come visit and bring water!

Style is out!

My issue of Style is out now! I am so honored to be in this magazine, and in this article about "cutting-edge design in Baltimore." I never would have thought that I could be in an article with Christian Siriano of Project Runway!

I must make a small correction to my article though. I am quoted as saying “The night before Jewish weddings, the mother of the bride and groom will often break a plate together...” That is not an accurate quote. I was referring to a (not often practiced) tradition that I have discussed in my blog called Tenaim. The Tenaim ceremony announces that two families have come to an agreement on the marriage of their two children. At the ceremony, the Tenaim document, a pre-wedding contract that sets out this agreement, was read out loud, signed and witnessed, and a plate is smashed to seal the deal. The mothers of the couple break the plate, symbolizing the impending breaks in their relationships with their children, who will soon take responsibility for feeding each other. Others give the broken pieces to eligible "singles" as if to say, "May a plate be broken for you soon."

Learn about other plate breaking traditions here.
To see a wedding plate project click before and after .

random rings

These are a few new rings from todays batch. I also cranked out 6 pairs of earrings. Phew, no matter how much I make, I feel like it is never enough.

Everyday People.

I hate selling, so glad I can do it on the internet. For more Everyday People cartoons, click here.

So Cool!

Craft:blog shared my Earth Day ideas with their readers! Happy Earth Day! Thanks to VerreEncore for the use of her great photo!

Random Poetry Break and Giveaway!

If you happened to catch This American Life this weekend, you probably heard many different variation of the poem, This is Just To Say by William Carlos Williams . I don't know why, but I found it endlessly amusing. I never studied this poem in school, but apparently everyone else has and had to write their own version of it. I guess, what is so appealing, is just how unapologetic the poet is in this supposed note that he left on the fridge. This is the original version.

I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox
and which you were probably saving for breakfast
Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so cold

Here are two variations that I particularly like:
1. by Kenneth Koch:
I chopped down the house that you had been saving to live in next summer.I am sorry, but it was morning,
and I had nothing to do and its wooden beams were so inviting.

2.by David Rakoff:
At our wedding I disappeared briefly to have sex with your sister up against the back of the port-o-sans.
What could I say the chardonnay was so fresh and cold and I, so full of love and dis-sense of family.
And I said I’m sure one day we will laugh about this well, by one day I meant that day and by we, I meant me and by laugh... I meant laugh.

Here is my take
I have broken your grandmother's plate that was securely displayed in the oak china cabinet
and which you were probably saving for when your young children marry
Forgive me, I was bored, it was beautiful and I had nothing to wear.

I want your non-apologies. Write your version of the poem and you will be entered to win this Diana Fayt pendant! Don't be shy, just do it! It's fun! I will give you until May 10th. For inspiration, you can download the episode of This American Life here.

Happy Earthday Eve!

What are you doing to celebrate? Check out my new post on Crafting in a Green World for some ideas!

Holy Moly!

I'm doin' the front page dance for a second time in one day! Wow!

Doin' the front page dance!

Love it when I am on the Etsy front page on Saturday! This is one of my favorite lists!

BEST Earthday Giveaway!

You are running out of time to enter the BEST Earthday Giveaway! Check the blog for info.

Busy day!

I had a nice busy day yesterday! Can you pick out the new Diana Fayt Pendants?? All pendants made from Diana Fayt plates will now earn $5 for Art with a Heart, a Baltimore charity who provides interactive, hands-on art activities to disadvantaged families and children, and to people with developmental and physical challenges (as if you needed another reason to buy one!)

New on CAGW.

You'll never guess what this bag is made of! Check out my new post on Crafting in a Green World!

Craft:

Wow! Thanks Craft:Blog for the mention of our accidental collaboration! We have had such a great responce to this, we have decided to do it again! Stay tuned for some yummy yellow Diana Fayt jewelry coming soon.

I found this tiny scrap today and made a ring.

I "Heart" Diana Fayt

I have been such a huge fan of Diana Fayt's work since I stumbled across her site about a year ago. Diana's process is very labor intensive and includes approximately thirteen steps from beginning to end. The result is undeniably beautiful with intricate texture, luscious color, and detailed organic shapes. When I came across this photo of a broken plate on Cory Alckelmire's blog, and read how it had been abused by the postal service, I was equally devastated for her loss, and giddy at the thought of getting to work with one of Diana Fayt's plates. With permission from the artist, and the generosity of Corey, I was able to get my paws on it. Thank you ladies! It was even more beautiful in person.
For larger photos, please see me flickr site.

There are a few available on my Etsy site now with $5 from each sale going to Art with a Heart, a Baltimore charity who provides interactive, hands-on art activities to disadvantaged families and children, and to people with developmental and physical challenges.

New Bumper Sticker

Available at MuthaCrafter! I am still working on the maternity shirts and onesies...

Today's news

This is from a great custom job that I did this week from pottery shards that were blessed by monks in South Korea. Hopefully I will get some of the good vibes.
I am love with these litle bees, starting to feel a bit like Whitney.

I just got notification that I will be a vendor at Tigerfest. Not sure what I have gotten myself into, but it should be fun. If things aren't selling well, I can always ride a mechanical bull!

Presidential rings

Because somewhere, out there, there is a person who would love to have a JFK or Nixon ring...

Can't wait for spring!!

Cards by Diana

I am so happy to announce the opening of my neighbor's new shop CardsByDiana! She makes all kinds of assemblage cards for any occasion. Please stop by and take a gander! Also, if you purchase a Broken Plate Pendant and need a card to go with your gift, please let me know and you will save on shipping!

Design A Gown

This is a really fun game on gURL.com. Design your own dress from hundreds of style options. This is my future wedding dress (you could not make white...)

I Love Lamp!

I have noticed a serious lack of cool lamp shades (especially on Etsy) so I was so excited to discover YoursTrulyxoxo! Not only does this crafty lady sell pre-made lamps, but now offers custom shades as well! Just think about all those great thirft store lamps just begging for a cool shade! For a mere $18 you can have a one-of-a-kind shade. I am patiently waiting for my first purchase to arrive.

Call for Submissions:

To learn how you might get your recycled plastic art published, ready my post on Crafting in a Green World!

Happy Easter!

Don't forget to enter your crafty eggs into the Easter Egg Coloring Contest!

BlueQ.

If you know anyone having a baby (or already has one) you have to get these tattoos from BlueQ! Thier website also has tattoos for pregger bellies, eldery folks, belly buttons. Everytime I see them I laugh!

Craftaholic.

Is it possible to be addicted to craft? I can't stop thinking of new ways to wear broken plates. These are made with vintage copper findings.

Hello, my name is Juliet and I am a craftaholic...

Where has your jewelry been?

Can you guess what these are made of? Just visit my post on Crafting in a Green World to find out!

Dialogue

Phew. There is a whole lot of talking going on over at the Imogene blog. If you have not had a chance to check it out, take a minute (or an hour) to go read up on the argument about the alt-craft movement. It is quite a dialogue!

Horoscope Rings

These are from a 1956 calendar plate. I mananged to save all of the astrological signs!

Rainy day project

Need a rainy day project? Check out the B.E.S.T. Blog for a fun idea.

Introducing Bridesmaid Sets!

BeforeAfter

This new Martha Stewart Wedgwood China has inspired me to offer a wedding package for bridesmaids! All your girls can match, but not look so cookie cutter, with custom broken plate pendants made just for them. With so many wonderful plates out there, I can pretty much find a plate for any color scheme or theme. What a nice way to thank your girls for all their hard work (and putting up with your bridezilla antics!)

Self Portrait

As I was sitting down to check my email today I noticed these 3 little things sitting together and it made me snicker. They make a sort of self portrait, symbolizing my roles as mommy, craftista and wifey. What was more interesting is that when I tried to photograph the set, I could not get all three part in focus at the same time. Sounds about right...

New style!

Here are a few new pieces using vintage beads from VintageBeadBoutique.

Best Giveaway! Enter Now!

Only 5 more days to enter the BEST St. Patricks Giveaway including work from sweetpepita, jenygwen, miscelena, byamandagotsch, jenmenkhaus, dandelionblu, my sister colescloset, vwstudios and Me! These pieces and more will be given away to one lucky member of our mailing list, so sign up now! The drawing will take place on March 10th, and the package will be mailed once we receive a mailing address. Good Luck!

New Rings!

I am so excited about my new rings, I can't even stand it!

My Lucky Limoncello

After a month of waiting, I finally bottled my first batch of Limoncello today. I named it Lucky Limoncello because it will be ready just in time for St. Patrick's Day. It was super easy and makes a great gift! This is all you need:

• 15-20 lemons - clean, unwaxed with nice plump skins. The skins should give off a lemon sent, don't get ones that don't smell heavenly.
• 2 (750-ml) bottles 80-proof vodka. The cheaper the better.
• 4-6 cups water
• 2-4 cups sugar (more if you want it thicker or sweeter)
  2-3 litre glass jar with a sealed lid.
• bottles (I got mine from Pier One and made the labels on Avery sticker paper.)

I followed the super easy instructions from this website. It makes quite a bit so you can share with your friends. It is a nice after dinner sipper, a drizzle on angel food cake, a soak for berries or a splash in iced tea. I expect a bottle from everyone who tries it out!

Recycled Glass Art

Learn about this amazing recycled glass craft artist at Crafting in a Green World!